Tetherless shutoff systems and methods for powersport vehicles

Abstract

Methods and systems for operating powersport vehicles during an operator-vehicle separation condition are provided. One method includes detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition using a first tetherless criterion and a second tetherless criterion. In response to detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition using both the first tetherless criterion and the second tetherless criterion, the method includes preventing propulsion of the powersport vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of operating a powersport vehicle during an operator-vehicle separation condition, the method comprising:
 when an operating parameter of the powersport vehicle has a first value, detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition using a first tetherless criterion indicative of the operator-vehicle separation condition; 
 when the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle has a second value different from the first value, detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition using a second tetherless criterion indicative of the operator-vehicle separation condition, the second tetherless criterion being different from the first tetherless criterion; and 
 in response to detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition using the first tetherless criterion or the second tetherless criterion, preventing propulsion of the powersport vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the powersport vehicle is an electric powersport vehicle including an electric motor for propelling the powersport vehicle; and 
 preventing propulsion of the powersport vehicle includes preventing propulsion of the powersport vehicle via the electric motor. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle includes a speed of the powersport vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the first value, the first tetherless criterion includes whether an absence of an operator's hand on a handgrip of the powersport vehicle exists. 
     
     
       5. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the first value, the first tetherless criterion includes whether the powersport vehicle has a non-upright orientation. 
     
     
       6. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the first value, the first tetherless criterion includes whether an absence of a portable electronic device (PED) proximal to the powersport vehicle exists. 
     
     
       7. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless criterion includes whether the powersport vehicle has a non-upright orientation. 
     
     
       8. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless criterion includes whether a decrease in weight carried by the powersport vehicle exists. 
     
     
       9. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless criterion includes whether an absence of an operator from a location expected to be occupied by the operator exists. 
     
     
       10. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless criterion includes whether an absence of one or both operator's hands on handgrips of the powersport vehicle exists. 
     
     
       11. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first value of the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle is indicative of a first mode of operation of the powersport vehicle, the first mode of operation requiring a manual accelerator command to be input manually by an operator; and 
 the second value of the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle is indicative of a second mode of operation of the powersport vehicle, the second mode of operation including an automatic accelerator command to be provided automatically. 
 
     
     
       12. A tetherless system for operating a powersport vehicle during an operator-vehicle separation condition, the tetherless system comprising:
 a first sensor operative to sense a first tetherless characteristic indicative of the operator-vehicle separation condition; 
 a second sensor operative to sense a second tetherless characteristic indicative of the operator-vehicle separation condition, the second tetherless characteristic being different from the first tetherless characteristic; 
 one or more data processors operatively connected to the first and second sensors; and 
 non-transitory machine-readable memory storing instructions executable by the one or more data processors and configured to cause the one or more data processors to:
 when an operating parameter of the powersport vehicle has a first value, detect the operator-vehicle separation condition using the sensed first tetherless characteristic; 
 when the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle has second value different from the first value, detect the operator-vehicle separation condition using the sensed second tetherless characteristic; and 
 in response to detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition using the first tetherless characteristic or the second tetherless characteristic, cause propulsion of the powersport vehicle to be prevented. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The tetherless system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle includes a speed of the powersport vehicle. 
     
     
       14. The tetherless system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the first value, the first tetherless characteristic includes an absence of an operator's hand on a handgrip of the powersport vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The tetherless system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless characteristic includes a non-upright orientation of the powersport vehicle. 
     
     
       16. The tetherless system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless characteristic is indicative of a decrease in weight carried by the powersport vehicle. 
     
     
       17. The tetherless system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein when the speed of the powersport vehicle has the second value and the second value is higher than the first value, the second tetherless characteristic is indicative of whether an absence of an operator from a location expected to be occupied by the operator exists. 
     
     
       18. The tetherless system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first value of the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle is indicative of a first mode of operation of the powersport vehicle, the first mode of operation requiring a manual accelerator command to be input manually by an operator; and 
 the second value of the operating parameter of the powersport vehicle is indicative of a second mode of operation of the powersport vehicle, the second mode of operation including an automatic accelerator command to be provided automatically. 
 
     
     
       19. A powersport vehicle comprising the tetherless system as defined in  claim 12 . 
     
     
       20. A tetherless system for preventing propulsion of a powersport vehicle during an operator-vehicle separation condition, the tetherless system comprising:
 a first sensor operative to sense a first tetherless characteristic indicative of the operator-vehicle separation condition; 
 a second sensor operative to sense a second tetherless characteristic indicative of the operator-vehicle separation condition, the second tetherless characteristic being different from the first tetherless characteristic; 
 one or more data processors operatively connected to the first and second sensors; and 
 non-transitory machine-readable memory storing instructions executable by the one or more data processors and configured to cause the one or more data processors to:
 when a first mode of operation of the powersport vehicle requires a manual accelerator command to be input manually by an operator to propel the vehicle, detect the operator-vehicle separation condition using the sensed first tetherless characteristic; 
 when a second mode of operation of the powersport vehicle requires an automatic accelerator command to be provided automatically to propel the vehicle, detect the operator-vehicle separation condition using the sensed second tetherless characteristic; and 
 in response to detecting the operator-vehicle separation condition, cause propulsion of the powersport vehicle to be prevented.